For diabetic and overweight cats
Every can here gets less than 10% of its calories from carbohydrate, the line most often used for diabetic cats. The list starts with the lowest.
Sorted by carbs. Percentages are shares of calories, so pâtés, shreds and gravies compare fairly.
| Can | Carbs | Carbs | Protein | kcal per can |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chicken RecipeBlue Buffalo · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 34% | 119 |
| 2. Beef & Hoki FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 36% | 89 |
| 3. Beef FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 35% | 91 |
| 4. Chicken & King Salmon FeastFeline Natural · 6 oz | 0% | 0% | 44% | 172 |
| 5. Chicken & Lamb FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 40% | 86 |
| 6. Chicken & Venison FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 45% | 79 |
| 7. Chicken FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 45% | 79 |
| 8. Lamb & King Salmon FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 38% | 99 |
| 9. Lamb & Venison FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 38% | 99 |
| 10. Lamb FeastFeline Natural · 3 oz | 0% | 0% | 32% | 104 |
Cats are built to run on protein and fat. Carbohydrate turns into blood sugar quickly, and in a diabetic cat that means bigger swings after each meal. That is why many vets suggest a high-protein, low-carbohydrate canned food as part of managing feline diabetes.
Switching food can lower a cat’s insulin needs within days. Never change a diabetic cat’s diet without your vet, and expect to monitor blood glucose closely during the switch.
Pet food labels don’t list carbohydrate. We estimate it from the guaranteed analysis on each can: what remains after protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash. Then we work out what share of the can’s calories comes from that carbohydrate, so a watery shred and a dense pâté can be compared fairly.
88 of the 144 cans we compare come in under 10%, across 14 brands. Pâtés tend to be lowest; recipes in thick gravy usually carry more starch.
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Showing 88 of 88 cans
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Among the cans we compare, the lowest-carb are Blue Buffalo Chicken Recipe, Feline Natural Beef & Hoki Feast, Feline Natural Beef Feast. Each gets 0% to 0% of its calories from carbohydrate.
A common target is under 10% of calories from carbohydrate, and some vets aim lower. Your vet will set the target for your cat, especially while insulin doses are being adjusted.
Usually, yes. Gravy is often thickened with wheat gluten, starch or flour, which adds carbohydrate. There are exceptions, so check the number for the exact recipe.
US pet food labels are only required to list minimum protein and fat and maximum fiber and moisture. Carbohydrate isn’t required, so it has to be estimated from those numbers.